Health Department: Raccoon found in Lafayette had rabies

LAFAYETTE, N.Y. -- A raccoon found in Onondaga County has tested positive for rabies, the Onondaga County Health Department said Tuesday.

A state health department laboratory tested the animal and found it had rabies. The raccoon was seen in the area of Route 20 between O'Connell and Berry roads, the county health department said.

"It is important never to touch or feed wildlife because they may be rabid and protecting yourself from rabies is important throughout the year," Michelle Mignano, the county's interim health commissioner, said in a statement.